Peace Corps Programming and Training Assistant Position Description
Peace Corps Programming and Training Assistant Position Description
United States Peace Corps Swaziland
Position Description
Position Title: Immediate Supervisor: Coordinates with: Duty Station: Program & Training Assistant Country Director Programming & Training Manager; APCDs; PEPFAR Technical Advisor; Training staff Peace Corps Office
Normal Hours of Work (40 hours/week) Monday Thursday: 8:00 AM 5:30PM Friday: 8:00 AM 2:00 PM Position Summary:
The Program & Training Assistant serves as an integral member of Peace Corps Swazilands Programming and Training team in support of the agencys mission to serve the people of Swaziland. The Program & Training Assistant (PTA) provides administrative and technical support to Peace Corps Volunteers, staff, and partners related to the youth development and health projects of Peace Corps Swaziland. The PTA also serves as a technical trainer for pre-service and in-service trainings for Volunteers. On occasion, the PTA may be called upon to work during non-business hours in support of agency business. The PTA reports to the senior members of the Program Team, including the Programming & Training Manager, Associate Peace Corps Directors (APCDs) and the PEPFAR Technical Coordinator.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Program Support (40%) Support APCDs as needed to visit both a) potential Volunteer sites to assess their suitability and prepare community members and host families for the Volunteers arrival, and b) current Volunteer sites to check on Volunteers welfare, performance, and to offer assistance as needed. Assist the APCDs in preparing program documents and reports including but not limited to the Project Plan, Welcome Book, Volunteer Assignment Description, Program Status Report, and PEPFAR Annual Report. Help maintain the Information Resource Center (IRC) library including identifying and gathering resources materials for Volunteer or staff use. Coordinate, with guidance from senior programming staff, community-driven small grant project design, logistics, budgeting/administration for volunteers.
Manage the implementation of new guidance, programming goals and philosophies and incorporate new and reporting standards. Support monitoring and evaluation activities for both the Health and Youth Development projects under guidance of senior programming and training staff. Lead counterpart and host-family evaluation process, maintain PCV progress files, and support other data and management needs. Training Support (35%) Act as a technical trainer for the Youth Development and Health projects for preservice and in-service trainings. Assist in development of training schedule and modules, coordinating closely with the Training and Programming team. Assist the Programming Team in planning, scheduling, conducting, and concluding Volunteer support activities such as training events, conferences, site visits, meetings, and service events. Volunteer Support (20%) Maintain the Volunteer Information Database Application (VIDA) to ensure it is complete and up-to-date regarding volunteer status, site-visit, bio-data, and leave records. Maintain electric and hard-copy program files for each Volunteer with appropriate documents (e.g. CV, trimester reports, leave forms, etc). Counsel and guide Volunteers experiencing adjustment, job, or cross-cultural problems. Liaise as needed with stakeholders in the health and/or youth development sectors and report back to the Programming Unit.
Safety and Security and Other PC/Swaziland Organizational Support: (5%) Familiarizes self with Post's Emergency Action Plan and security policies. Immediately, and without prompting, report safety incidents and/or issues which pertain to the security of volunteers, staff or PC property and reports issues of fraud, corruption or waste to supervisor or Country Director. Participates as required in Peace Corps Emergency Action Plan events to provide advice with regard to consolidation and evacuation logistics.
Position Elements Supervision Received: Reports to Country Director and coordinates closely with the PTM, APCDs, Technical Advisor and training staff.
Available Guidelines: Peace Corps Manual, Staff Handbook, PCV Manual, PST Manual, PSC Contract, Statement of Work Exercise of Judgment: May exercise judgment in site identification as well as host family relations and Volunteer support Nature, Level and Purpose of Contacts: The PTA will develop contacts with community leaders, host families and counterparts as well as contacts within the Swaziland NGO and development sector, ministries and government contacts. Time Required to Perform Full Range of Duties: The time required for the contractor to perform duties fully and adequately is one year. Required Qualifications Education: Bachelors degree Prior Work Experience: At least 2 years of experience with international NGO or equivalent Language Proficiency: Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English and siSwati Other Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes: Excellent organizational skills. Technical training skills. Computer proficiency as well as highly developed community relations skills, networking and diplomacy. Desired Qualifications Knowledge of American culture and diversity Prior experience with Peace Corps Library skills Background in youth development or health desirable
